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4.14.2009

As of late last week, Cross is now offering a huge promotion the likes of which has not been seen for some time. A.T. Cross retailers are now authorized to take 20% off any Cross order (pens, leather, watches, cufflinks, etc) over $80.

This means any Cross pen or leather product that is priced over $80 is automatically qualified for the 20% discount.

Since there is no easier way to provide the discount as the consumer is shopping, the 20% will be taken off after the checkout has been completed. That means customers will see they are paying full price until they receive the invoice along with their shipment. We hope that this is not an inconvenience to anyone. The best way to verify the final price is to call in your order. That way, you will know what your total will be before confirming the order.

Please be advised this discount is honored by Goldspot for only the full-retail priced Cross items. Products that are already discounted or on clearance are not eligible for the 20% discount.

Also, one minor note is that if you have an order with over $80 in Cross items on it, but also have products from other brands on the order as well, the other products will not be discounted the same 20%.

I would love to hear some feedback from customers and readers about this promotion. Your constructive criticisms will also be relayed to the AT Cross company. We do this in hopes to provide you with a better shopping experience in the future.

4.10.2009

This story, while entertaining, serves as a stern warning to all fountain pen dealers. Fraud is something that we all try to be diligent to avoid, and the business of fine-writing is certainly not invulnerable to swindlers.

Possibly the most nefarious fountain pen con-man may be having a comeback. A US Dept of Justice press release, dated back in 2006, describes the account of one Mauricio Aguirre-Orcutt. Lies, false identities and forged documents are just one set of tools of the con-man's arsenal for coercing thousands of dollars of fountain pens into his possession.

His dealings eventually caught the eye of the US Secret Service in 2004 when he impersonated a close friend to George W. Bush in order to accept an expensive David Oscarson limited edition fountain pen. He claimed that the President would use the pen to sign the Medical Relief Act during a White House ceremony. He even doctored a digital photograph, inserting an image of the Oscarson pen into a picture of the President signing a bill to "prove" that he used the pen.

This was but one of the many stories of the fine-writing retailers swindled by Aguirre-Orcutt. Some of the biggest pen dealers in the business have been hit for tens of thousands of dollars by this con-man. As of the last few months, he has been released on parole and there is reason to believe he is back to his old tricks.

After speaking with several sources that have dealt with him previously, we have ascertained the following buying patterns of this individual:

Mauricio uses his name, or an alternate version of his name, or an alias to place orders or contact you.

He usually prefers buying expensive or limited edition fountain pens in broad point.

He may try to obtain a "sample" by explaining his contacts or associations of importance as a noteworthy public figure.

He may also swap the pen that he purchased with a lower-priced pen and request a return, asking for a full refund of his purchase.

He may also be looking to sell a large amount of expensive, limited edition pens.

We hope that everyone in the pen business will conduct their dealings carefully, especially in these times where a fraud order can be the difference between staying afloat or sinking in the red.

4.01.2009

Most pen manufacturers offer a limited, international warranty of up to 3 years on writing instruments that can cost upwards of five-hundred to thousands of dollars. And these warranties ONLY cover mechanical defects that will not allow you to write with your pen. That means if the clip falls off or the gold-plated trim wears away, you're stuck with an ugly pen that always rolls off the desk.

To further support the manufacturer's warranty, Goldspot Pens is providing a comprehensive extended warranty that will cover your pen from accidental damage, nib-clogging, clip-breaking, trim-wearing, and, in some cases, if you plain just don't like the pen anymore.

As many pen enthusiasts know, most pens break or are lost within the first 4 years of ownership. With the "Theft Option" additional coverage, you can finally feel confident again in your investment. We install a low-profile LO-JACK GPS locator chip into your pen that ensures your writing instrument will be safely returned. For pennies a day, you can finally have peace of mind when lending your pen to a co-worker.

So, before you check out your order at Goldspot.com, be sure to add the Goldspot Pens Protection Plan to your cart.

You may have trouble finding the Protection Plan option, since it is fake and this is April Fool's Day. Gotcha!

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Goldspot Pens is like your friendly, neighborhood pen shop - only we are everywhere on the internet! On our blog, we publish product reviews, share industry news, announce new releases, answer customer questions and participate in the online fine-writing community.

To shop for the greatest variety of fine-writing pens and accessories at the lowest prices, please visit Goldspot.com.